Electric switch



G. L. CRAGG ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb.l8, L927 Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT GEORGE L. GRAGG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO HARRY A. DOUGLAS, F BRON SON, MICHIGAN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed February is, 1927. semi No. 169,280.

My invention relates to electricv current tion system of an internal combustion en conducting winding elements and to circuit gine. I controlling switches in electrical association The hollow current conducting element iltherewith. lustrated is inclusive of a winding 1 con- 5 The invention finds particular utility in stituting the primary of an induction coil connection with spark producing circuit systhat is employed in a circuit serving to tems employed for producing sparks in cylproduce sparks in the cylinders of an inter- Y inders of internal combustion engines that nal combustion engine. Another windingare employed in the power plants of auto- 2 is-illustrated which, in this instance, is

l mobiles or other automotive vehicles. The secondary to the winding 1, this secondary invention has for its general object the prowinding being shown as being surrounded vision of an improved assembly of the windby the primary winding. The primarv ing elements, the cores of such elements, and Winding has one terminal rounded through the associated switches whereby the switches a circuit interrupter 3 w ose contacts are 15 and the circuit terminals thereat are guard.- shunted by a condenser 4. The other tered from unwarranted access and the com minal of the primary winding is grounded bined structures are simplified and occupy through a battery 5. The secondary. wind less space than hitherto. ,ing 2 also has one terminal grounded In carrying out my invention, a casing through the circuit interrupter 3, the other 20 is provided for the switch, this casing havterminal of the winding 2 being connected ing a rear wall in close proximity both to with "the revolving arm 6 of a distributor the core and to the winding element of the whose waiting contacts 7 are successively endevice so thatsuch core and winding elegaged by said arm, these waiting contacts ment may guard the switch, at the rear being connected with the electrodes 8 of 25 thereof, from unwarranted access. While spark plugs or other gas igniting elements the switch casing is thus closely approxithat are contained in the various cylinders of mated with both the winding and its core, the internal combustion engine, indicated at the invention is not to be limited to this 9, that is equipped with the ignition system. arrangement inasmuch as the winding and The windings 1 and 2 are tubular, the

30 core are individually in protecting relation bore of the inner winding having a flattened to the casing. In the preferred embodiment tubular lining 10 of insulation. A magof the invention, the casing has a rearwardly netizable core 11 is shown disposed within extending wall or skirt portion surrounding saidlining, this core extending rearwardly one end of the core, this core end desirably beyond the windings l and 2. A cup- 35 projecting beyond the winding. This wall shaped ca 12 receives the rear end of the or skirt portion of the casing efiectively 00- core 11, t e skirt of the cap surroundin operates with the windin element and with said core. A binding post 13 passes throu g the core of the winding element in guarding and is assembled with the. end wall of t e the switch structure. cap 12 and receives the external circuit wire 4 I will explain my inventionmore fully by 14 that leads to the rotating distributor conreference to the accompanying drawing in tact 6, this binding post being in electrical which Fig. 1 illustrates a winding element in connection with one terminal of the secondlongitudinal section and the switching mechary 2. The cap 12 is held in relation to the anism in association therewith partially in core 11 in-any suitable way. A body of vis 45 section and partially in elevation; Fig. 2 is a cous insulating material 15 ma fill or parsectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1, on a tially fill the space between t e rear ends larger scale; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line of the windings 1 and 2 and the cup-shaped 3-3 of Fig. 1, on a larger scale; Fig. 4 is section 16 of the metallic sheathing which a sectional view on line 4-4orf Fig. 1, on a, encases the entire structure, The end wall 50 larger scale; Fig. 5 is a sectional view on of the cup-shaped section 16 of saidsheathline 5-5 of Fig. 3, on a smaller scale; Fig. 6 ing is formed with a central perforation is a rear view of the locking mechanism; and whose marginal portion enters an annular Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the meet groove formed in the cap, as indicated at 17. my invention in connection with the igni- Binding posts 18 and 19 are carried by and insulated from the end wall of the cap section 16 of the sheathing, these binding posts receiving external wires 20 and 21, the binding post 18being connected with one terminal of the primary 1 through the switching mechanism of my arrangement-and directly with the remaining terminal of the secondary winding, as shown most clearly in Fig. 7. The binding post 19 is connected directly with the other terminal of said primary. The sheathing about the structure includes a cylindrical portion 22 which enters the skirt of the cup-shaped section 16 of the sheathing, the portion 22 being suitably assembled with the skirt of this cupshaped section 16, as by spot welding. Liners 22 may be interposed between the sheathing section 22 and the winding 1.

The front end of the cylindrical portion 22 .of the sheathing receives a lock casing which is inclusive of a cup-shaped portion when the 23 Whose end wall is innermost and whose rim is outwardly beaded, as indicated at 24, and which receives the flange 25 that surrounds the front end of the sheathing section 22. The cup-shaped portion 23 of-the lock casing is'closed by a cap 26 whose skirt is contracted behind the head 24 'whereby the cap 26 is held in place. Mounting screws 27 pass through the mounting plate 28 and through the end wall of the cap 26 whereby the entire structure may be mounted. The end wall of the cap 26 is lined by a disc 29 which is held in place by the sleeve rivet extensions 30 formed upon the end wall of the cap 26 and in which the screws 27 are received. A locking guard, preferably in the form of a shell 31, has a flange 32 at its outer end which is rigidly clamped between the disc 29 and the end wall of the cap 26. The shell 31 projects inwardly into the lock casing and preferably through the rear wall of this casing. A tumbler barrel 33 is mounted to turn in the shell '31, this tumbler barrel carrying tumblers 34 which are receivable at their ends in slots 35 that are formed in opposite sides of said shell 31. These tumblers are operable by a key 36, that is acceptable by the tumbler barrel, to be withdrawn from said slots key is inserted. When the tumblers are withdrawn, the tumbler barrel may be turned to a position in which the primary circuit may be either opened or closed, as will more fully appear. When the primary circuit is opened, the key may be withdrawn to permit the tumblers to enter said slots, the tumblers then serving to lock the primary circuit in open adjustment, as will more fu ly appear.

The switching mechanism illustrated is disposed within a cap 37 of insulation, this cap having a rearwardly extending skirt portion 38 which surrounds the front end of the core 11 and a forwardly extending neeona skirt portion 39 which surrounds the switching mechanism, there thus being a common wall 40 of thecap '37 which is between the two skirts 38 and 39 andfrom which these skirts project in opposite directions, the rear face of this wall 40 being in engagement with the front end of the core 11. Y The space surrounding the cap 37 is suitably occupied with a filling material of insulation, as indicated at 41, in acordance with common practice cap 12 may have rings of insulation 42, 43 respectively interposed between-the. same and the secondary winding 2.- The cap 37 desirably has itsrear skirt of oblong shape to correspond to and snugly receive the front end of the flattened lining 10, Fig. 5, 'so that the cap 37 is positively held from rotation with respect to said lini'ng and with respect to the core 11 which is tightly received within the lining. The cap skirt 38 has its rear termination in front of and preferabl in contact with the ring of insulation 42 o the winding element and snugly engages the front end of the core surrounded thereby. The entire cap is substantially coaxial with the winding element and is approximately of the same diameter, being arranged in tandem with the winding element. The switching mechanism illustrated is inclusive of two metallic contacts 44 and 45 which are hollow and receive metallic springs 46 whereby these contacts are pressed inwardly toward each other. These springs are contained within springbarrels 47 that are in spaced apart relation, these spring barrels being rigidly secured to the contact carrier.48 which is inserted within the cap 37 and is surrounded by the front skirt 39 of this cap. The carrier 48 is of insulation and is formed with a lateral roove 49 which receives a rib 50 that proects inwardly from the cap skirt 39 whereby said contact carrier'is held from rotation. Said contact carrier is-in'the form of a ring having a cylindrical bore which receives another contact carrier 51, the latter contact carrier being cylindrical and rotatable within the contact carrier 48. A contacting bar- 52 is carried by the contact carrier 51 and extends diametrically therethrough. The contacts 44, 45 and 52 are arranged in the same'zone and in a plane-perpendicular or transverse to the common axis of the windings 1 and 2, the contacts 44 and 45 being thus radially disposed. When the contact carrier 51 is turned in one position, its contacting bar 52 is out of engagement with said contacts which are then received within recesses 53 formed in opposite sidels of the carrier 51. The ignition circuit is then opened. When the latter contact carrier is reversely positioned, its contacting bar 52 engages both contacts whereby the ignition circuit is closed. The key 36 is adapted to lt ii the tumbler barre? place the contact carrier 51 in either an 1gn1t1on circuit opening position or an ignition circuit clos' position. To this end, 34 has an oblong inner extension 54 which is receivable Within an oblong slot 55 which is formed in the enlarged front end of the'carrier 51, the front enlargement of this carrier being received -.1n the step formation in the-carrier 48 so that the rearward movement of the carrier 51 is prevented, the forward movement of this carrier 51 being prevented by being in en-. gagement with the lock shell 3]..- Assuming that the ignition circuit is open and is to be closed, the key is inserted to withdraw the tumblers 34 from the slots whereafter the tumbler barrel is turned to bring the contacting bar 52 into engagement with the contacts-44 and i5. When the ignition circuit is again to be opened, the tumbler barrel is turned by the key to bring the tumblers into register with the slots 35 whereafter the key is withdrawn to permit the tumblers to enter said slots, the contacting bar 52 being now out of engagement with the contacts 44, 45.

It will be apparent that the structure of my invention s very compact, a minimum of space being required by the connections of the wires with the contacts '44 and 45, as

illustrated most clearly in Fig. 1, where said wires are shown as passing through the rear wall into connection with said contacts on one side'of'said wall and toward the rear end of the-"structure through the space between the core 11 and the lining 10.

The cap 37, which constitutes a casing element for the switching mechanism, is thoroughly protected at its rear by the core 11 substantially abutting the same to prevent tampering with the switch and its wiring or connections that ass through the rear wall of this casing. he switch is well guarded at its front by the lock casin which comprises the cup 23 and its 100 supporting closure 26, 29 and by the guard or shell 31 and the tumbler barrel 33 constitutin a closure for the o ening in the end wafi of cup 23 through w ich the tumbler barrel has actuating connection with :the contact carrier 51. I The front ends of the windings are also closely approached to the switch casin 37 to also guard the switch, the core 11 re erably extending forwardly beyond the ront endsof the wmdings into the rear skirt of said casing to further the switch guarding function 0 the core. The skirt 38, projecting rearwardlyfrom the switch casing, of itself serves to guard the switchin mechanism and has this purpose furthers when it is closely approached'to the windin s and receives the front endof the core. Thereis an advantage in assembly where the core enters the rearwardly extending wall portion 38 of the casing apart from the lock, the invention-not being limited to the presence of wall 40. v

7 Changes may be made without departing from the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I-

claim: 7

1. The combination with an electric cur rent conducting winding element having a magnetizable core portion; of a circuit consaid winding element; a casing for the switch having a rearwardly extending wall closely surrounding one end of the core; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch. 2. The combination with an electric current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core portion; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with t trolling switch in electrical'association with said winding element; a casing for the switch having a rearwardly extending wall extending into close proximity to the core; and a locking structure in controlling relatipn to the switch.

3. The combination'with an electric current conducting winding element; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element; a casing for the switch having a rear wall through which electrical connection with the switch is efiected and having a rearwardly extending skirt terminating in close proximity to said winding element; and a locking struc- ;turein controlling relation to the switch.

4. The combination with an electric cur-' rent conducting winding element; of a'cir cuit controlling switch in electrical associati0n w1th saldwinding element; a casing for ing'structure in controlling relation to the switch.

6. The combination with an electric current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core portion; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding. element; a casing for the switchhaving a rear well through which electrical connection with theswitch is effected and a rearwardly extending skirt closel surrounding one end of the core; and a loo ing structure in controlling relation to the switch.

7. The combination with an electric currentconducting winding element having a magnetizable core portion; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element; a casing for the switch having, a rear wall through which electrical connection with the switch is effected and a rearwa'rdly extending skirt extending into close proximity to the core; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the-switch. a v

' 8. The combination with anelectric current conducting winding element having a ma etizable core portion; of a circuit controfii ng switch in electrical association with I said winding; element; a casing for the i having a rearwardly extending wall ext-end;

switch having a rearwardly extending wall closely surrounding one end of the core and having its rear termination in front of the winding element; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch. I

9. The combination with'an electric current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core portion of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element ;a casing for the switch ing into close proximity to the core andhavingits rear termination in front of the winding element; and a locking. structure in controlling relation to the switch rent conducting winding element havinga magnetizable core portion; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical a ssociation' with said winding element; a casing for the switch having a rear wall through which electrical connection with the'switch is efmemos fec'ted and a marwardly extending skirt closely surrounding one end of the coreand having its'rear termination in frontof the winding element; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch. 4

12. The combination with an electric current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core portion; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical .association with said winding element; a casing for the switch having a rear wall through which electrical connection'with the switch is effected and a rearwardly extending skirt extending into close proximity to the core and having its rear termination in front of the winding element; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch.

'13. The combinationwith an electric current conducting winding element; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical assocla tion with said WIIIdIDg element; a casing for th switch having a rear wall through which electrical connectionwith'theswitch is effected and having a rearwardly extending skirt terminating, at its rear end, infront of and in close proximity tosaid winding element; and a locking structure in vcontrolling relation to the switch.

14. The combination with an electric current conducting winding element; of a circuit controlling switch in. electrical association with said winding element; a casing for the switch having "a rearwardly extending skirt terminating, at its rear end, in front of and in close proximityto said winding element; and a locking structure in' controlling relation .to the 'switch.-

I 15. The combination with an electric current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core portion; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element; a "casing for the switch having a rearwardly extendin wall surrounding one end of the core and aving its rear termination in front of the winding element"; and a locking" structure in controlling relation to the switch.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe 2 my name. v

" I GEORGE a. crane. 

